California

Electrification

Bay Area looks to exempt some households from gas water-heater phaseout

The region is finalizing its first-in-the-nation rule to limit the sale of polluting gas water heaters, which will take effect next year.

By Alison F. Takemura . 20 May 2026
Solar

How big can solar go? These 3 projects show us the gigascale future

A handful of sensationally large developments are underway around the world, testing just how big solar can get.

By Julian Spector . 19 May 2026
Clean fleets

Tesla Semis are about to hit the road. That’s good news for California.

Thanks to state incentives, the long-range, lower-cost electric trucks are affordable. Widespread adoption could help California meet clean-trucking targets.

By Jeff St. John . 6 May 2026
Hydrogen

SoCalGas customers spared paying $266M for hydrogen pipeline project

Regulators nixed the utility's funding plans for a massive, controversial hydrogen pipeline. Enviro groups say there are better ways to decarbonize heavy industry.

By Jeff St. John . 1 May 2026
Distributed energy resources

Two California bills would push utilities to get more out of their grids

The state’s three big utilities typically overbuild to meet peak demand. The legislation would order them to try virtual power plants and smarter grid tech instead.

By Jeff St. John . 30 April 2026
Virtual power plants

A new bill would help VPPs replace peaker plants in California

California has a lot of home batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats that could do the work of dirty peaker plants. SB 913 would try to make that possible.

By Jeff St. John . 29 April 2026
Electrification

San Francisco helps home child care centers wean off gas

The city launched a $300,000 pilot to swap gas water heaters for electric heat-pump versions at child care facilities in disadvantaged communities.

By Alison F. Takemura . 23 April 2026
Solar

Are long-promised solar perovskites finally hitting mass production?

Tandem PV has built an automated factory line in California to produce glass coated with materials that it says can improve solar panel efficiency by one-third.

By Julian Spector . 20 April 2026
Electric vehicles

California bill would limit EV-charging access in affordable housing

Legislation backed by developers would waive EV-charging requirements for new low-income housing projects, just as the state looks to build 1 million more units.

By Alison F. Takemura . 13 April 2026
Batteries

AES pulls out of San Diego area battery project after local opposition

Was the developer pushing the boundaries of proximity, or are today’s new battery designs just fine for residential areas?

By Julian Spector . 9 April 2026